§ MR. CATHCART WASON (Orkney and Shetland)I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the habitual disregard of the provisions of the Motor Act and the impossibility of enforcing its provisions, he will consider whether it would be desirable to omit the Act from the operation of the Expiring Laws Continuance Act.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSThe Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this Question. The effect of omitting the Motor Car Act, 1903, from the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill would practically be to restore matters to the position in which they stood prior to the passing of that Act. It was the unsatisfactory condition of things then existing that led to the legislation of 1903, and I do not I think the suggestion of my hon. friend could practically be adopted. I may 855 point out that, if it were, motor cars could still be used on the highways, but they would be freed from any statutory limit of speed, and that it would no longer be necessary that they should be registered and carry identification marks, or that the drivers should be licensed. The penalties to which offenders would be liable would also be lessened.
§ MR. CATHCART WASONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that if there had been no Motor Car Act motor cars would have been limited to a speed of twelve miles an hour, and that under present conditions the law is openly and systematically violated by persons in high stations?
§ MR. JOHN BURNSI have nothing to add to the Answer I have given, except to say that both the Home Secretary and myself are quite prepared to consider sympathetically any representations with a view to our actions when they emanate from local authorities, who are responsible, and who, so far, have taken very little action in the matter.